"What level are you?" The one who was rolling around on the floor, laughing, asked.
"24."
"Only 24?!"
"Yeah?"
"I thought you'd be level 50 with those moves."
"I've spent my time training enhance and learning how to imbue magic into my fists. It still requires some work."
"Enhance? Is that how you move like that?"
"Yeah, I've trained enhance so I can keep applied as long as I'm awake. Magic Imbuement is something I've recently learned. It still needs some work."
We shared some information now that I'm going to help them on their mission.
"Why do you wish to grow stronger?" Nira butted in and started playing with my hair while I was explaining my skills to the captain. He needed to know to properly assign me roles and tasks for the mission.
"You're much like my mother." She keeps playing with my hair or patting me. Also that smile... it reminds me of her so much.
"Oho~ I'd like to meet her one day."
"The reason I wish to grow stronger is because you can't meet her one day."
Nira's expression saddened a little after hearing that. Maybe she'll leave me alone now. I don't know if I can handle being reminded of my moth--- Uwah! Wawawhy? What?! I struggled to push away as Nira held me tightly.
"I'm sorry." She muttered while holding me dearly. It was a soft and warm embrace. Not suffocating at all. No! I won't cry. Don't make me remember...
I surrendered and hugged Nira back. I've been drifting ever since the incident. Maybe I just wanted someone's warmth. Someone to console me. I really am a child, aren't I? I thought I had matured...
"Mommy--hic Daddy-sniffle" my arms tightened around Nira as the tears I'd been holding back broke through the floodgates.
After a few minutes later.
"I'm okay now. You can let go."
"Awww, but you're so cute. Can't I hold you for longer?"
"Pervert."
"We're both girls, its okay."
"I'm a boy." After a slight pause, a simultaneous sound of shock liberated itself from all of their lips.
"A boy?!?!"
"I'm Nevri, daughter of Astera and Rakshen, and the last surviving Minotaur of the Vastren tribe."
"So, you are a girl?"
"No. Because we're on a mission together I figured I'd tell you, but for now, I'm going around as a woman."
"Why?"
"Mom… I.. she always wanted me to dress as a girl. She always wanted a daughter. Maybe that's why I continued wearing feminine clothes and applying makeup and lipstick even after her death."
"When I do these things, I feel like she's still with me. I know it's dumb. I know she won't come back. But I'll continue wearing female clothing. Maybe one day, I'll stop, but today isn't that day."
"That day would probably be the same day I get my revenge and join my---" I stopped myself before finishing the sentence. There's no way I could say 'join my family in death.'
"I see, well, Nevri-chan. I think you're really cute. And we're both girls, so let me keep hugging you." Nira teased while jumping at me to hug me again. I dodged.
"Thanks for accepting my weirdness, and for holding me while I cried, but no. Don't we have more important things to do?"
"Nevri is right. Get ahold of yourself, Nira." Nira sulked and crossed her arms in a pout.
After introductions, I finished explaining my capabilities to Rodric, the captain. The one who was on the ground earlier laughing his ass off. The first one. Is Eric and the second is Cadras.
Apparently, this is a mercenary group and we're going to assassinate someone in the capital. They assured me the person deserves it, but I don't really care. As long as I can get stronger. As long as they teach me as promised. I don't care what we do.
I'm going to approach the target. Apparently, I'm their type. Once I'm inside the manor I only need to reach one of the balconies to retrieve a poison from Eric and serve it to the target.
They want to make it look like a prostitute with a grudge killed him by leaving a note. 'This scum abused and ruined many women, my sister was one of them.' Yadiyada something along those lines.
Selling myself on my first job? Well, whatever.
"Are you sure, Nevri? We changed how we were doing the mission because you joined us, but this places most of the burden on you." Nira seemed concerned for me. I merely nodded and dismissed her worries with a smile and a few words.
"I'll be fine. Thanks, Nira."
"Okay, I'll be nearby in case something goes wrong." She replied.
Once night fell we arrived at the city and it was time to approach the the target.